Colin Farrell loves emotional roles

A remake of the 1990 sci-fi action film of the same name, starring Colin Farrell, Kate Beckinsale, Bryan Cranston, Jessica Biel & Ethan Hawke. Like the original, this reboot is inspired by the famous short story "We Can Remember It For You Wholesale" by Philip K. Dick. For factory worker Douglas Quaid (Farrell), the mind-trip sounds like the perfect vacation from his frustrating life - real memories of life as a super-spy might be just what he needs. But when the procedure goes horribly wrong, Quaid becomes a hunted man as he finds himself on the run from the police.

The 36-year-old star admits he loved starring in the remake of hit film 'Total Recall' - in which he plays lead character Douglas Quaid, who has his memory erased - because it challenged him to connect emotionally and intellectually with his complex alter-ego.

He said: ''I don't want to say a greater level of craft is needed [for a small film] but they affect you in a more emotional and intellectual way possibly than bigger films. [I'm] always looking for big films which have an intellect or have some kind of emotional life.''

Colin takes over from Arnold Schwarzenegger - who appeared in the previous blockbuster movie as Douglas - and he admits he wasn't daunted to follow in the footsteps of the legendary actor.

He said: ''Arnold Schwarzenegger was such a unique performer, down from the accent, the size, the dead pan one liners and stuff. I felt like I could go and do my own thing with it. Once we started shooting I completely forget there was an original it just became about, the same as it always is, taking a script and bringing it to life.''